"There’s a dragon on the horizon."
Nahash looked up, blinking the sleep from his eyes. He’d been napping. His pet general stood at the tent opening.
A dragon? asked Nahash.
The general nodded. "Yes, sir. It’s holding position not far away."
Nahash rose and slithered out of his tent. He looked up. The stranger hovered off to the east. Nahash took flight.
As he approached, Nahash saw the new arrival had red-orange scales with blue stripes circling his body at intervals. He looked young, but not too young. An armored general sat in a harness on the dragon’s back.
Nahash flew up to a polite distance and whispered to the newcomer. Greetings, he said. I am Nahash Aklabethel.
Reza Abdullah, replied the newcomer. I’m here to relieve you. You have a new assignment.
Nahash stared at him for a moment. Right this way.
The two of them flew down into camp. Reza’s pet general climbed down and presented the current "commander" with a sealed scroll. The general broke the seal, read it, and looked up at Nahash. "Looks like we’re wanted in the capital."
Nahash nodded at him and looked at Reza. Any idea what my new assignment is?
They didn’t say, said Reza, but I think it might have something to do with trouble out east.
What kind of trouble? asked Nahash.
Aurelius forced Rahabadaz to give him the eastern wood as terms of the treaty, but he’s apparently had a hard time getting it. Something’s preventing our work crews from going in. They’ve killed soldiers. Rumor says they even killed one of us.
They? asked Nahash.
They, said Reza. Whoever or whatever is in there.
Nahash stewed for a moment.
Well, he said, they’re all yours. Turns out there’s more here than just bandits rustling cattle. You’re up against a self-proclaimed warlord who calls himself Zan. He’s young, blue in color, and wears garish jewelry. He’s no mage, but he is talented at sorcery.
Sorcery? asked Reza, his mouth widened. That’s not likely to help him against a ray of heat to the face.
Don’t underestimate him, said Nahash. He may not be able to set you on fire, but he’s sneaky and he’s clever.
I’m sure I can deal with him, said Reza.
I’m sure, said Nahash. He turned to his general. Pack our things and ready the harness. We’re heading east.